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Monthly Newsletter - November 2006

Table of Contents

What's New

Important Announcement - Congenital Literature Watch

This quarter marks the inauguration of the Congenital Literature Watch.  We are slightly behind our Adult Cardiac and Thoracic sections, but hope to make up for lost time with an outstanding selection of articles.  Dr. Aditya Kaza, a pediatric cardiac surgical fellow working with Francois Lacour-Gayet at Denver Children's Hospital, has offered to do much of the leg work involved in searching the journals for articles with a congenital focus. As Editor, I will then select those articles most relevant for congenital heart surgeons. We do not intend to provide an all-inclusive list of congenital articles published, but to select those most pertinent; of course, this goal may alter in response to reader input. We will try to limit the total number of articles per quarter to less than 20, a manageable number of articles to review in depth. Also, we would appreciate input from those who publish an article on congenital heart surgery in a peer-reviewed journal. Please feel free to recommend it to us for possible inclusion in the Literature Watch. Conversely, do not feel excluded if we should miss an article worthy of note. We will be happy to list it in the next quarterly review. The goal of this Literature Watch is to make available a single site where practicing congenital heart surgeons and trainees may keep up-to-date with the literature.

Carl L. Backer, MD
Children's Memorial Hospital
Chicago, IL, USA

Important CTSNet Announcement

There is a change of Address for the CTSNet Publishing office. As of October 31, 2006, the new address will be as below.  The phone and fax numbers remain the same as before:

CTSNet, Inc.
World Trade Center Building - Baltimore
401 E. Pratt Street, Suite 351
Baltimore, MD 21202
Tel:1+ 410-385-1949
Fax: 1+ 410-385-6055

New Horizons - Reed

An interesting New Horizons Contribution has been added: "Women in Thoracic Surgery: Past Reflections, Present Advice, and Future Suggestions" by Carolyn E. Reed MD, of the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA. Dr. Reed is the current President of the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association, and current Chairman of the American Board of Thoracic Surgery.

Adult Cardiac Video

This adult cardiac video was presented at the November 2006 meeting of the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association: "Valve-Sparing Aortic Root Replacement for Marfan Syndrome with Type A Dissection" by Andreas Zierer, MD and Marc R. Moon, MD, both of Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.

Clinical Case - Adult Cardiac

"Endovascular Repair of a Descending Thoracic Aortic Pseudoaneurysm Using a Tapered Endoprosthesis" by Howard K. Song, MD, PhD, Hannan Chaugle, MD, Matthew S. Slater, MD and John Kaufman, MD, all of Oregon Health and Sciences University, Portland, OR, USA.

Adult Cardiac Literature Watch - Third Quarter 2006

The Adult Cardiac Literature Watch - Third Quarter 2006, compiled by Eric J. Okum, M.D. of Chicago, IL, and Domenico Pagano, M.D. of Birmingham, UK, features articles published 7/1/06-9/30/06.

STSA Thoracic Video - 2006 Annual Meeting

"Complete Lymph Node Dissection Under Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery" by Doctors Hyan-Sung Lee, Suk-Wong Song, Jong Mog Lee, Moon Soo Kim, Jae Hyun Kim, and Jae Ill Zo, all of the National Cancer Center, Goyang, Gyeonggi, South Korea.

STS 2006 Cardiac Video

"The First Totally Stentless and Reproducable Autologous Pericardial Aortic Valve" by Doctors Gilles D. Dreyfus, Pierre Corbi, S. Aubert, and T. Mittal  from the Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospital, UK. The film was presented at the STS January 2006 Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL, USA.

Symposia

"New Paradigms Guiding the Surgical Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation" a Symposium presented in conjunction with the EACTS meeting in Stockholm September 11, 2006. The program was supported by an educational grant from Cryocath Technologies.

Thoracic Expert Technique

"Thoracoscopic Management of Spontaneous Pneumothorax" by Christopher B. Komanapalli, MD and Mithran S. Sukumar, MD, both of Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.

European School for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery

European School for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery

Dates for cardiac and thoracic courses in 2007

STSA Officers - 2006-2007

At the recently concluded Annual meeting of the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association (STSA) in Tucson, the following slate of officers was elected:

Carolyn E. Reed, MD - President
John W. Hammon, MD - President Elect
Steves Ring, MD - Vice President
Robert Cerfolio, MD - Secretary/Treasurer
Walter Merrill, MD - Director of CME
Harold C. Urschel, Jr., MD - Historian
Kirk Kanter, MD - Councilor
Joseph B Zwischenberger, MD - Councilor
Curt Tribble, MD - Councilor
Ross Ungerleider, MD - Council Chair

Officers Swedish Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery

The Swedish Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, at the recent Annual Meeting 19-21 October 2006 in Linköping, Sweden, elected the following officers:

Lars Wiklund - President
Ulf Kjellman - Vice President
Johan Sjogren - Treasurer
Anders Ahlsson - Union Secretary
Henrik Jonsson - Scientific Secretary

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Industry Forum

No Sternotomy Required

Introducing Remote Access Cannulae from the world's leading medical technology company. Ask your Medtronic® Sales Rep about Bio-Medicus® Multi-stage Venous Cannula, EOPA Cap® Arterial Cannula placed in the axillary artery and Minimally Invasive Aortic root (MIAR) Cardioplegia needle.

MEDTRONIC ANNOUNCES COMMERCIAL RELEASE OF NEW CARDIOBLATE(r) NAVIGATOR(tm) TISSUE DISSECTOR

Navigation that Stands Alone

Medtronic continues to chart the course for surgical ablation with the release of the Navigator(tm) Tissue Dissector. The Navigator device complements Medtronic's Cardioblate(r) family of bipolar solutions with enabling technology for stand-alone procedures. The device is a handheld, sterile blunt dissection device. The device's battery-powered light source is used to navigate soft tissue for identification of the tip location around anatomic structures.

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Clinical Resources

Videos

Literature Watch

Expert Techniques

Cardiac

Congenital

Clinical Cases

New Technology

Thoracic Case of the Month

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Organizations

AATS Has Added a Valuable New Resource

The American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) has made available on its website the Annual Meeting Program books in their entirety from the eleventh meeting (1928) to 2006. Also available are complete lists of past officers, basic science lecturers, honored guest lecturers, and AATS award recipients. Beginning with the 2002 Annual meeting, the Presidential addresses are also included. What a valuable resource for the cardiothoracic community!

EACTS Thoracic Surgical Meetings

As part of the EACTS Programme of Thoracic Surgical Meetings we are pleased to announce two educational courses:

1st EACTS Course on Thoracic Robotic Surgery, Bern, Switzerland, 1-3 February, 2007. Organised by R.A. Schmid and F. Melfi. Content: Theoretical issues on robotic surgery in the chest and Hands on large animal studies of Thymectomy and Lobectomy

Advanced Techniques in Thoracic Surgery, Venice, Italy, 8-10 March 2007. Local organizer: F. Rea. Topics: Tracheal Stenosis, Carinal Resection, Bronchial and Vascular Sleeve Resection, Lung Transplantation and Bronchial Anastomosis, Bronchial Stump Fistula, Mesothelioma, Pectus Excavatum. For further details, please visit the EACTS website. 

THE THORACIC SURGERY FOUNDATION FOR RESEARCH AND EDUCATION

TSFRE is pleased to announce the opening of the 2007 Award funding cycle!
TSFRE is now accepting on line applications for the following awards:

Research Fellowship Awards
Support of up to $35,000 per year for up to two years for surgical residents who have not yet completed cardiothoracic surgical training.

Research Grants
Operational support of original research efforts by cardiothoracic surgeons who have completed their formal training and who are seeking initial support and recognition for their research program. Awards of up to $30,000 a year for up to two years are made each year to support the work of an early-career cardiothoracic surgeon (within five years of first faculty appointment).

Career Development Awards
Salary support of up to $50,000 a year for up to two years for applicants who have completed their residency training and who wish to pursue investigative careers in cardiothoracic surgery.

Nina Starr Braunwald Career Development Awards
Provides a biennial award of $100,000 for two years to support the research career development of a woman cardiac surgeon who holds a full-time faculty appointment and who is within ten years of completion of thoracic surgery residency.

Application Timeline:

November 1 - application deadline
Early January - applications reviewed by TSFRE's Research Committee
Late January - recommendations approved by TSFRE's Board of Directors
TSFRE Award Announcements are made in February
For more information or to apply for TSFRE's funding opportunities, visit our web site.

SCTS Now Accepting Abstracts for 2007 Annual Meeting

The Society for Cardiothoracic Surgeons in Great Britain and Ireland (SCTS) is now accepting Abstracts for 2007 Annual Meeting to be held March 11-14 in Manchester, UK. ABSTRACT DEADLINE IS NOVEMBER 5, 2006.

Looking to the Future: STS Scholarship for Aspiring Cardiothoracic Surgeons

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons and its Workforce on Graduate Medical Education are pleased to announce the 2007 Looking to the Future Scholarship Program, designed for second, third, and fourth year general surgery residents. The scholarship seeks to identify and encourage general surgery residents who are considering but are not yet committed to a career in cardiothoracic surgery.

Fifteen scholarships will be awarded and will cover the registration fees to the STS 43rd Annual Meeting in San Diego, California, January 29 - 31, 2007, as well as reimbursement of up to $1,000 in travel and hotel expenses. Each scholarship winner will be assigned a mentor to assist in planning a schedule of educational programming, to answer questions and to facilitate introductions. Scholarship awardees will also have the opportunity to participate at no cost in Tech-Con, a program on emerging therapies and new technologies in cardiothoracic surgery, held January 27 - 28, 2007. In addition, special events will be available for scholarship recipients throughout the Annual Meeting.

Program Directors are encouraged to nominate general surgery residents from their institutions who have expressed an interest in pursuing a career in cardiothoracic surgery. (Note: There can be only one scholarship nominee from each institution.)  Program Directors are asked to provide a letter, on university letterhead, giving a brief description of the candidate's strengths and qualities. The scholarship candidate should submit a separate letter or e-mail (no more than one page) addressing his or her interest in the field of cardiothoracic surgery, why he or she is interested in attending the STS Annual Meeting, and how this experience might help the applicant achieve his or her career goals. Applicants must also complete an application form at www.sts.org. Resumes and CVs are optional. Scholarship recipients will also be expected to provide a brief follow-up letter with comments on the value of the experience and how this scholarship program might be improved. In addition, they may be asked in the future to participate in activities with the program and/or STS, and to provide follow-up information concerning their career plans. 

Please send in the appropriate materials no later than November 3, 2006. Scholarship awardees will be announced November 21, 2006. If you have questions, please contact Nancy Puckett at (312) 202-5819.

Materials should be sent to:
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons/Looking to the Future Scholarship Program
Attn: Nancy Puckett
633 N. Saint Clair St., #2320
Chicago, IL  60611
FAX: 312/202-5829
E-MAIL: residents@sts.org

EACTS International Co-operation Committee

Read the interesting report on Humanitarian Efforts of the EACTS by Dr. Marko Turina.

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Residents Section

2006 Cardiothoracic Technology Symposium

The Thoracic Surgery Residents Association (TSRA) and the Thoracic Surgery Directors Association (TSDA) jointly sponsored the 2006 Cardiothoracic Technology Symposium, held in the University of Cincinnati Center for Surgical Innovation May 19-21, 2006. View the complete program and the videotapes of the presentations.

New Horizons

A New Horizons Contribution has been posted: "...On Being a Pediatric Cardiac Surgeon" by Dr. Charles D. Fraser, Jr., Chief, Congenital Heart Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.

NEWERA CARDIAC CARE RESIDENT SCHOLARSHIPS

NEWERA CARDIAC CARE RESIDENT SCHOLARSHIPS

For cardiothoracic surgery and cardiology residents in good standing, three levels of scholarships are available to attend the 10th Annual NewEra Cardiac Care Conference, January 5 - 7, 2007, at the Hyatt Regency Resort & Spa in Huntington Beach, California. Fifteen scholarships are available:

All recipients must arrange and pay for their own travel.

To be considered for any of the above scholarships, the applicant must submit to Susan Westwood (susan@amainc.com) a current CV and nomination letter from his or her resident director.

In addition, to be considered for the Edwards-sponsored scholarship, each applicant must submit a topic that he or she would present to Edwards in twenty minutes in one of the following areas: (a) an area of unmet clinical need, the prevalence of that need, and potential ways to address it; (b) an area of personal research and its importance to the clinical community; or (c) an idea for a product or product improvement and what issue it addresses. 

The deadline for scholarship applications is NOVEMBER 15, 2006. The Program Committee will choose the scholarship recipients, and applicants will be notified of their decision by December 1, 2006. For additional information, visit www.amainc.com, call 805.541.3118, or email susan@amainc.com.

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Journals

Annals of Thoracic Surgery - November Issue

CME

General Thoracic

Shrager JB, Nathan D, Brinster CJ, Yousuf O, Spence A, Chen Z, Kaiser LR. Outcomes After 151 Extended Transcervical Thymectomies for Myasthenia Gravis.  Ann Thorac Surg 2006;82:1863-1869.

Congenital

Morales DLS, Scully PT, Braud BE, Booth JH, Graves DE, Heinle JS, McKenzie ED, Fraser Jr CD. Interrupted Aortic Arch Repair: Aortic Arch Advancement Without a Patch Minimizes Arch Reinterventions. Ann Thorac Surg 2006;82:1577-1584.

Adult Cardiac

Centofanti P, Flocco R, Ceresa F, Attisani M, La Torre M, Weltert L, Calafiore AM. Is Surgery Always Mandatory for Type A Aortic Dissection? Ann Thorac Surg 2006;82:1658-1664.

EJCTS - November Announcments

ICVTS - December issue is live. Join-in the ICVTS on-line discussion and then see your citable comments published in the print journal.

EJCTS - November issue is now live, including 3 CME activities

MMCTS - NEW CONTENT- 77 surgical procedures on-line. 

JTCVS November Announcements

CME

Surgery for Acquired Cardiovascular Disease 

Treatment decisions in stable coronary artery disease: Insights from the Euro Heart Survey on Coronary Revascularization.
Arno Breeman, Marjo Hordijk-Trion, Mattie Lenzen, Sanne Hoeks, Jan Paul Ottervanger, Michel E. Bertrand, MD, Udo Sechtem, Remigijus Zaliunas, Victor Legrand, Menko-Jan de Boer, Elisabeth Stahle, Nestor Mercado, William Wijns, Eric Boersma, Euro Heart Survey on Coronary Revascularization.
J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2006;132:1001-1009.

Surgery for Congenital Heart Disease

Long-term results of the Konno procedure for complex left ventricular outflow tract obstruction.
Rakesh M. Suri, Joseph A. Dearani, Hartzell V. Schaff, Gordon K. Danielson, Francisco J. Puga.
J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2006;132:1064-1071.

General Thoracic Surgery

Longitudinal changes in hyperinflation parameters and exercise capacity after giant bullous emphysema surgery.
Rémi Neviere, Michèle Catto, Nathalie Bautin, Sophie Robin, Henri Porte, Jacques Desbordes, Régis Matran.
J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2006;132:1203-1207.

Announcement for readers of the Multimedia Manual of Cardiothoracic Surgery (MMCTS)

As a convenience for readers, the Multimedia Manual of Cardiothoracic Surgery (MMCTS) can now be accessed from the Books Home Page (as before), and also from the Journals Home Page (new).

New content is being added each month. A total of 73 scientific articles are now available. Visit the site frequently to keep abreast of the latest techniques in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery.

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Transitions

ACS 2007 Jacobson Award

Dr. William S. Pierce of Hershey Medical Center will receive the prestigious American College of Surgeons Joan L. and Julius H. Jacobson II Promising Investigator Award for 2007. This award has been established to recognize outstanding surgeons engaged in research advancing the art and science of surgery. One award is made annually by the ACS Surgical  Research Committee, and is accompanied by an honorarium.

Richard M. Peters, 1922-2006

Richard Morse Peters was born in New Haven February 21, 1922, and he died in Palo Alto, California on September 1, 2006. At Yale he was a varsity swimmer when that champion team was the foremost among colleges, and thereafter he earned his MD cum laude in 1945. He trained in general and thoracic surgery at Washington University, St. Louis, under the tutelage of the much admired Evarts Graham. 

Richard Peters, or Dick as he was known to his friends, became Assistant Professor of Surgery and Head of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of North Carolina. There he studied the effects of pulmonary mechanics and inspired gas concentration on airway resistance and distribution of blood flow to the lungs. He also pioneered the first intensive care unit (ICU) for postoperative surgical patients in the United States. Consistent with Dick's social conscience, this ICU became the first desegregated ward of the North Carolina Memorial Hospital. In addition, he initiated a unique post graduate curriculum in bioengineering. In 1959, at the age of 37, he was promoted to Professor.

In 1969 Dick became Professor of Surgery and Bioengineering at the new University of California at San Diego (UCSD) School of Medicine and the founding Chief of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery. He achieved wide recognition for his work at UCSD where he applied automated techniques to monitoring the respiratory and cardiac function of patients in the ICU. Because of the originality and high quality of his work, it was supported by the NIH for over thirty years. 

Dick Peters was an outstanding educator, caring intensely about medical students, and especially about the quality of education offered to residents in Thoracic Surgery. In 1980 he stimulated formation of an informal small group that addressed the issue of how to arrest the withering of general thoracic surgery. That group became the Liaison Committee of the American Association of Thoracic Surgery (AATS); it offered recommendations concerning the organization of faculty, facilities, curriculum, and resident case load needed to maintain and to strengthen general thoracic surgery. The recommendations were supported by AATS President Donald Paulson in 1981 and formalized in 1984. Dick Peters correctly wrote, "(T)he vigorous prodding of (this) vocal group of general thoracic surgeons" did in time initiate changes which provided a basis for renaissance in the subspecialty. Thanks in significant part to Dick Peters, general thoracic surgery is now again strong.

In his quiet way, Dick Peters was an effective activist. In 1987 he presciently alerted the profession to a forthcoming crisis in recruitment to the specialty's training programs. He favored high quality education before starting thoracic surgery residency in order to allow the residency to focus on the specialty. He foresaw the need to consider fewer prerequisite years in general surgery and shortening residencies in cardiothoracic surgery. Before others, he recognized that "alternative paths" in cardiac and general thoracic surgery were needed with enrichment of each of the two subdivisions. He warned of the harmful influence of medical student debt, and noted this among the factors which were driving top quality students from thoracic surgery. He perceived that the increasing length of cardiothoracic education was increasing "servitude" without compensatory increase in "quality".  He insisted that lengthening of cardiothoracic training programs should be only to improve education and not to provide service. He pleaded for us to care about such matters. 

When Dr. Peters retired from UCSD School of Medicine in 1989 he had published over two hundred and fifty articles and a truly classic book on respiratory mechanics. He had served as senior editor of five text books including one published in China, and had contributed numerous chapters to many books. His editorial and committee duties were important and multiple. He was frequently invited to lecture nationally and internationally, especially on respiratory mechanics, cardiac function, ICU computer monitoring, electronic health records, and appropriate use of intravenous fluids in acute care and trauma management. 

Dick Peters was a model of a socially responsible citizen. Despite his consuming involvement in surgery, research, writing and teaching, he found time actively to promote racial desegregation, civil liberties and social justice. He advocated universal health insurance for Americans. He and his wife, Ann Peters, along with others on the Chapel Hill School Board, labored successfully to desegregate the public schools. This became the first system in the South to be desegregated. 

Dick was a well rounded man who loved his family and was loyal and supportive to his friends and his students. He enjoyed sailing and skiing. He relaxed especially in later years by fly fishing for trout in Montana, Wyoming and Idaho, and skiing at Mammoth and Deer Valley with close friends. He was a wonderful human being and a superb colleague who will be remembered with warmth and deep appreciation.

John R. Benfield, MD
Hermes C. Grillo, MD

The authors appreciate having received included information that was provided by Barbara A. Peters, MD

EACTS Officers and Councillors 2006-2007

At the recently concluded EACTS meeting in Stockholm, a new slate of officers and councillors was elected.

President:                 Siegfried Hagl              2006-2007

Vice President:          Paul Sergeant             2006-2007

Secretary General:   Bruce Keogh                2003-2009

Treasurer:                 Jose Pomar                 1999-2008

Editor-in-Chief:         Ludwig von Segesser   2000-2010

Information Officer:  Raffaele De Simone     2006-2009

Past President:          Tom Treasure             2006-2007

Councillors:                Ottavio Alfieri             2006-2009
                                   Juan Comas                2004-2007
                                   Stefano Elia                2004-2007
                                   Andrew S. Wechsler    2006-2009
                                   Pieter Kappetein         2004-2007
                                   Ralph A. Schmid          2004-2007

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Abstract Deadlines

More meeting abstract deadlines are available.

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This Month's Meetings

EUROPEAN SOCIETY OF EOSPHAGOLOGY (ESE)

The Annual Meeting of the EUROPEAN SOCIETY OF EOSPHAGOLOGY (ESE) will be held November 30-December 2, 2006 in Leuven, Belgium. Come and learn about the latest progress in esophagology. And enjoy Leuven, city of the oldest University of the Benelux. Phone: +43 1 405 13 83 13; Fax: + 43-1-407 82 74; Email: st@medacad.org; Additional information: http://www.aco-asso.at/.

CZECH SOCIETY FOR CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY

The 2nd Congress of the CZECH SOCIETY FOR CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY will be held November 30-December 1 at the Hotel Voronez in Brno, Czech Republic. For information, contact: Center of Cardiovascular Surgery and Transplantation, Pekarska 53, 65691 Brno, Czech Republic, phone 420543211528; fax 420543211218; email: zdenka.horackova@cktch.cz

HEART FAILURE HOLIDAY SYMPOSIUM

The 2nd Annual HEART FAILURE HOLIDAY SYMPOSIUM will be held December 1-3, 2006 in Chicago, IL. For more information contact: Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, Office of CME, 303 E Chicago Ave, Ward 1-027, Chicago, IL 60611. Phone: 312-503-8533; email: nums-cme@northwestern.edu.

STEM CELL THERAPY FOR THE FAILING HEART

Bangkok International Symposium on STEM CELL THERAPY FOR THE FAILING HEART will be held at the InterContinental Hotel 1-3 December 2006, Bangkok, Thailand.

Abstract submission deadline: 1 November 2006; For information, contact: Mrs. Francisca S./Ms. Kesinee P.; Bangkok Heart Hospital, 2 Soi Soonvijai, 7 New Petburi Road, Bangkok, 10310 Thailand; Phone: 662-310-3323; Fax: 662-310-3088; Email: kesinee@bangkokheart.com

ITALIAN SOCIETY FOR CARDIAC SURGERY

The XXIII Congress of the Italian Society for Cardiac Surgery will be held 2 - 5 December 2006 in Rome, Italy.

WORKSHOP ON INTEGRATED CORONARY REVASCULARIZATION

The 3rd WORKSHOP ON INTEGRATED CORONARY REVASCULARIZATION will be held 6-8 December, 2006 in Innsbruck, Austria.

Our earlier workshops showed that combined coronary intervention carried out by interventional cardiologists and cardiac surgeons in direct cooperation is a realistic option. It was demonstrated that a team approach that also includes cardiac anesthesiologists, cardiac imaging specialists, perfusionists and cardiac nursing specialists is critical for offering the best therapeutic options to patients with coronary artery disease.

We kindly invite all colleagues interested in integrated approaches to treatment of coronary artery disease to our 3rd workshop and strongly encourage attendance of coronary revascularization teams.

Formation and maintenance of such teams will be the main topic of the 2006 meeting. A distinguished national and international faculty will lead attendees through new ways of cooperation between specialties working on invasive treatment of coronary artery disease. The official language of the workshop is English.

Please find detailed workshop information on the congress website

We are looking forward to seeing you at the 3rd ICR workshop in pre-Christmas Innsbruck 6-8 December, 2006!

Johannes Bonatti, MD and Guy Friedrich, MD

EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY

EUROECHO 10, the Tenth Annual Meeting of the EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, December 6-9, 2006, Prague Congress Centre, Prague, Czech Republic. EUROECHO 10 Secretariat, ESC, 2035 Route des Colles, Les Templiers - BP 179, 06903 Sophia Antipolis, France; Phone: +33 (0)4 92 94 76 00; Fax: +33 (0)4 92 94 76 01; E-mail: euroecho@escardio.org.

Fourth International Combined Live Symposium - Focus on Congenital Cardiac Surgery

The Fourth International Combined Live Symposium - Focus on Congenital Cardiac Surgery - will be held December 14-15, 2006, at the German Heart Center in Munich, Germany. This symposium combines the talents of the Heart Centers in Munich and Leipzig, Germany, and the Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK.  For more information.

Central Organizing Office / Contact: Trendhouse EventMarketing GmbH, Mrs. Astrid Schormann,
Osterwaldstrasse 10, 80805 Munich, Germany; E-Mail: a.schormann@trendhouse.de; Phone: +49 (0)89-368 498-0; Fax: +49 (0)89-368 498-88

PAKISTAN SOCIETY OF CARDIOVASCULAR & THORACIC SURGEONS

The 6th Biennial International Conference of PAKISTAN SOCIETY OF CARDIOVASCULAR & THORACIC SURGEONS will be held December 14-17, 2006 in Karachi, Pakistan. Prof. Arif-ur-Rehman Khan, Convener & Professor of Cardiac Surgery, National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases. Further information: Conference secretariat, 4th Floor, National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Karachi - 75510, Pakistan. Phones:+92-333-222-2955, +92-21-9204759; Fax: +92-21-9201287; e-mail: pscts.conference@gmail.com

AORTIC SURGERY - HOW TO DO IT II

The second congress AORTIC SURGERY - HOW TO DO IT II will be held December 15-16, 2006, in Milan, Italy. Organizers are Prof. Roberto Chiesa and Prof. Ottavio Alfieri. Organizing Secretariat: Stefania Grassi. Venue: San Raffaele Congress Centra - Via Olgettina 58 - 20132 Milano, Italy. Ph: +39 02 2643 3700 Fax: +39 02 2643 3754; email:aortic.surgery@spr.it.

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Future Meetings

NEWERA CARDIAC CARE 10: INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY

The 10th Annual NEWERA CARDIAC CARE: INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY meeting, co-chaired by W. Randolph Chitwood, Jr., MD and Robert C. Robbins, MD, will be held January 5 - 7, 2007, at the Hyatt Regency Resort & Spa in Huntington Beach, California. For further information, please email Susan Westwood at susan@amainc.com or visit: http://www.amainc.com.

STS 2007 Annual Meeting

SAVE THE DATE. The STS 43rd Annual Meeting will be held January 29-31, 2007 in San Diego!

Meeting attendees will learn about the latest developments in cardiothoracic surgery while earning CME credits. The meeting also includes abstracts and poster presentations by presenters renowned worldwide in the field of cardiothoracic surgery. Educational programs on practice management, patient safety, advocacy and more are also scheduled, along with over 150 exhibitors of the latest technology. Plan to attend Tech-Con 2007 on January 27 and 28, exhibits are open January 28-30, followed by the STS 43rd Annual Meeting, with the popular STS University on January 31.

1st EACTS Course on Thoracic Robotic Surgery

1st EACTS Course on Thoracic Robotic Surgery, Bern, Switzerland, 1-3 February, 2007. Organised by R.A. Schmid and F. Melfi. Content: Theoretical issues on robotic surgery in the chest and Hands on large animal studies of Thymectomy and Lobectomy.  For information, see www.eacts.org or contact the EACTS Executive Secretariat, 3 Park Street, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 1LU, UK; Phone: +44 1753 832166; FAX: +44 1753 620407; Email: info@eacts.co.uk

Scandinavian Society for Research in CardioThoracic Surgery (SSRCTS)

The 17th Annual Meeting of the Scandinavian Society for Research in CardioThoracic Surgery (SSRCTS) will be held 8 - 10 February 2007 at the Norlandia Geilo Hotel, Geilo Norway. Abstract submission deadline: 15 December 2006. For information, contact: J. Michael Hasenkam, Dept. of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby Sygehus, DK-8200 Aarhus N; Phone: ++4589495480; Fax: ++4589496016; Email: hasenkam@ki.au.dk; Additional information: http://www.ssrcts.org

German Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery

The 36th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery will meet February 11-14, 2007 in Hamburg, Germany. For information, contact: Interplan Congress, Meeting & Event Management AG, Albert-Rosshaupter-Strasse 65, 81369 Munich, Germany, Tel.: +49 89 54 82 34 0;Fax: +49 89 54 82 34 43; e-mail: thorax@interplan.de; Website: www.dgthg-jahrestagung.de/2007

MARCH

AATS Grantsmanship Workshop 2007

AATS Grantsmanship Workshop 2007 will be held March 2, 2007 from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.

This workshop, organized by Dr. Pedro J. del Nido of Children's Hospital Boston and chair of the AATS Scientific Affairs and Government Relations Committee, is designed to help professionals who are applying for grants, including current and previous grant recipients, to better understand the complex nature of preparing and submitting grant proposals. Invited faculty will include NHLBI representatives, current research investigators, and leaders in the field of cardiothoracic research.

Vail Symposium on Pediatric Cardiac Diseases

The 11th Vail Symposium on Pediatric Cardiac Diseases will be held March 4-7, 2007, in Vail Colorado, USA. This symposium is hosted by The Children's Hospital, Denver, Colorado.

Contact Name:  Jeannie Dixon
Contact Address:  1056 E. 19th Ave. B175, Denver, CO 80218-1088
Contact Phone:  303-861-6123
Contact Fax:  303-861-6169
Contact E-mail:  Dixon.Jeannie@tchden.org

Advanced Techniques in Thoracic Surgery

Advanced Techniques in Thoracic Surgery, 8-10 March 2007, Aula S. Domenico, Ospedale SS. Giovanni e Paolo, Complesso Canal del Pianto, Venice, Italy. Local organizer: F. Rea. Topics: Tracheal Stenosis, Carinal Resection, Bronchial and Vascular Sleeve Resection, Lung Transplantation and Bronchial Anastomosis, Bronchial Stump Fistula, Mesothelioma, Pectus Excavatum. For information, see www.eacts.org or contact the EACTS Executive Secretariat, 3 Park Street, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 1LU, UK, Phone: +44 1753 832166, Fax: +44 1753 620407, Email: info@eacts.co.uk

SOCIETY FOR CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY IN GB & IRELAND (SCTS)

The Annual Meeting for 2007 of the SOCIETY FOR CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY IN GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND will be held March 11-14, 2007 in the Manchester International Convention Centre (MICC), Manchester, UK.  Abstracts may be submitted after September 1, 2006. ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 5 NOVEMBER 2006. For information, contact: Isabelle Ferner 35-43 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3PE; Phone: +44 20 7869 6893; Fax: +44 20 7869 6890; Email: sctsadmin@scts.org.

CREF 27 - THE SAN DIEGO CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY SYMPOSIUM

The 27TH ANNUAL SAN DIEGO CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY SYMPOSIUM, chaired by Julie A. Swain MD, will be held March 15 - 18, 2007, at the San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina in San Diego, California. THE ABSTRACT DEADLINE IS JANUARY 25, 2007. For further information, please email Susan Westwood at susan@amainc.com.

25TH INTERNATIONAL CARDIOVASCULAR SURGICAL SYMPOSIUM

The International Cardiovascular Surgical Symposium Annual meeting will be held March 9-10 2007 in Zurs/Arlberg Austria at the Hotel Robinson Select Alpenrose Zürs. Abstract submission DEADLINE: 15 January 2007. For information, contact: European Heart Institute Mönchsberg 2, 5020 Salzburg, Austria. Phone: +43-699-10510497. Fax: +43-662-841343; Email: congress@herzchirurgie.at.

CURRENT CONTROVERSIES IN VALVE MANAGEMENT

Dr. Vinay Badhwar and Dr. Randolph P. Martin are co-chairing the first Annual Florida Valve Symposium - "CURRENT CONTROVERSIES IN VALVE MANAGEMENT" to be held March 28-30, 2007 at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Cardiac Surgery Faculty: Steven F. Bolling, MD; W. Randolph Chitwood, Jr, MD; Lawrence H. Cohn, MD; Tirone E. David, MD; Carlos M. G. Duran, MD, PhD; Irving L. Kron, MD; Michael J. Mack, MD, Sir Magdi Yacoub, FRS

Cardiology Faculty: David S. Bach, MD; Peter C. Block, MD; Philipp Bonhoeffer, MD; Robert O. Bonow, MD; Blase Carabello, MD; Alain G. Cribier, MD; Maurice E. Sarano, MD; John G. Webb, MD

Contact information: Tampa Bay Heart Institute Foundation, 6006 49th Street North - Suite 320, St. Petersburg, FL 33709. Phone: 727-522-9379; Fax: 727-522-9386; Carole Erickson, Program Administrator; Email: siestavc@aol.com.

APRIL - MAY

XII CONGRESS OF THE CATALAN SOCIETY FOR CARDIAC SURGERY

THE CATALAN SOCIETY FOR CARDIAC SURGERY will be held April 19-21, 2007 in Barcelona, Spain. ABSTRACT DEADLINE 16 FEBRUARY, 2007. For information, contact: Jordi Bosch i Grau, Ramoni Cajal, 39, 08339 Vilassar de Dalt, Tel +34 93 753 24 67, Mobil +34 620 26 74 39, email: jordiboschgrau@hotmail.com.

27th Annual Meeting of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation

The 27th Annual Meeting of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation will be held April 25 - 28, 2007, at the Hilton Hotel, San Francisco CA. USA.

For information, contact:

ISHLT
14673 Midway Road, Suite 200, Addison TX 75001, USA
Phone: 1 972 490 9495
Fax: 1 972 490 9499
Email: meeting@ishlt.org

Advanced Cardiac Techniques in Surgery (ACTS) 2007

Advanced Cardiac Techniques in Surgery (ACTS) 2007: The Sixth in the Series will be held Wednesday and Thursday, May 2-3, 2007 in The Equitable Center, New York, NY.  Accommodations: Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers, New York, NY. Contact: Promedica International CME, a California Corporation, 2333 State Street, Suite 203, Carlsbad, CA  92008; Tel: 760-720-2263; Fax: 760-720-6263; Email: acts@promedicacme.com

Extending the Horizons in Valvular Heart Disease

Extending the Horizons in Valvular Heart Disease: The First in the Series will be held on May 10, 2007 at the Abington Memorial Hospital, Abington, PA.  For information, please contact: Promedica International CME, a California Corporation, 2333 State Street, Suite 203, Carlsbad, CA  92008; Tel: 760-720-2263; Fax: 760-720-6263; Email: vmartinelli@promedicacme.com

HERSHEY CONFERENCE

The Third International Conference on PEDIATRIC MECHANICAL CIRCULATORY SUPPORT SYSTEMS, PEDIATRIC HEART TRANSPLANTATION, AND PEDIATRIC CARDIOPULMONARY PERFUSION will be held May 17-19, 2007 at the Hotel Hershey, Hershey, PA. Sponsored by the Penn State Children's Hospital and Penn State College of Medicine. Contact: Bonnie J. Bixler, M.Ed. Dir. of Special Projects Penn State Continuing Education, College of Medicine, PO Box 851, Hershey, PA 17033-0851; ph: 717-531-6483.

THE ASIAN SOCIETY FOR CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY

The 15th Annual Meeting of the Asian Society for Cardiovascular Surgery will be held on May 17-20, 2007 in Beijing, China. For more information, contact; ASCVS 2007 Secretariat, Chinese Medical Association, 42 Dongsi Xidajie, Beijing 100710, China; Phone: +86 (10) 8515 8149; Fax: +86 (10) 6512 3754; E-mail: ASCVS2007@cma.org.cn; Website: www.ascvs2007.com.

Abstract Submission Deadline: February 15, 2007
Notification of Abstract Acceptance: March 15, 2007
Pre-congress Registration Deadline: March 31, 200

THE EUROPEAN SOCIETY FOR CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY

The 56th International CONGRESS OF THE EUROPEAN SOCIETY FOR CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY will be held May 17-20, 2007 in Venice, Italy. For information, contact: Professor Claudio Muneretto, Secretary General, UDA Cardiochirurgia - Spedali Civili, P.le Spedali Civili 1, 25123 Brescia (Italy). Phone: + 39 030 399 6401; Fax: + 39 030 399 6096; Email: munerett@med.unibs.it

January 20, 2007 Abstract submission deadline
February 8, 2007 Notification of Abstract acceptance
March 1, 2007 Low pre-registration fee

MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL POSTGRADUATE COURSE IN GENERAL THORACIC SURGERY

The 37th Annual Postgraduate Course in General Thoracic Surgery, co-directed by Douglas J. Mathisen, MD and Cameron D. Wright, MD will be held May 24-25, 2007 at the Royal Sonesta Hotel, Cambridge, MA. For information/registration, please contact Harvard Medical School, Division of Continuing Education (617) 384-8600.

SUMMER AND FALL

EUROPEAN SOCIETY OF THORACIC SURGERY

The 15th European Conference on General Thoracic Surgery organized by the ESTS will take place in Leuven, Belgium 3-6 June 2007. Deadline for abstracts 1st February 2007. More info: sue@ests.org.uk.

ISMICS

The INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR MINIMALLY INVASIVE CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY (ISMICS) will celebrate its 10th Anniversary during its Annual Scientific Meeting scheduled 6-9 June 2007 at the Aurelia Convention Centre & Expo in Rome, Italy. Special guest speakers will address the rapid development and innovation in techniques and technology over the past 10 years and provide insight into the direction technology is taking in the future. The scientific meeting will feature original research presentations, panel discussions, post graduation education and much more. Visit the website for information on abstract submission, meeting registration, hotel reservations and links to Rome visitor information.

  • Abstract submissions are now being accepted for those interested in presenting original research at this important meeting. The abstract deadline is 18 December 2006, 11:59PM, EST.
  • Make your Rome hotel reservations at the special ISMICS rate. New this year, ISMICS has contracted space at three different hotels on the campus of the Aurelia Convention Centre. The Torre Rosa Park Hotel is attached to the Centre and offers convenient mid-market accommodations. The Crown Plaza St. Peter's is a 5-minute walk from the Centre and offers indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a spa and other conveniences. The Grand Hotel Palazzo Carpegna is a 4-star boutique hotel featuring modern guest rooms in an historic building; also a 5-minute walk from the Aurelia Convention Centre.

    • Society for Heart Valve Disease (SHVD) Meeting

    The 4th Biennial Meeting of the Society for Heart Valve Disease (SHVD) will be held 15-18 June, 2007, at the Hotel Pennsylvania, New York, NY. ABSTRACTS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED. Submission is only online at the Society's web site. ABSTRACT DEADLINE: 31st January 2007. SHVD Executive Secretariat: Heart Science Centre, Harefield Hospital, Harefield, Middlesex. UB9 6JH United Kingdom. Telephone: 44 (0)1895-828977; Facsimile: 44 (0)1895-828902; Email: secretariat@shvd.org 

    SOCIETY OF CARDIAC SURGEONS

    The XXVth Meeting of the SOCIETY OF CARDIAC SURGEONS will be held in Pamplona, Spain, June 21-23, 2007. Registration: Miss Luisa Goni, Servicio Cirugía Cardiovascular, Clínica Universitaria de Navarra, Av. Pio XII, 36, 31008 Pamplona, Navarra, Spain; Fax +34 948 204 188.

    Western Thoracic Surgical Association 2007 Meeting

    The 33rd Annual Meeting of the Western Thoracic Surgical Association (WTSA) will be held June 27-30, 2007, at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya, Santa Ana Pueblo, NM.
    Abstract Submission Opens: November 13, 2006
    Abstract Submission Deadline: January 8, 2007

    13th Conference on Electrical Bioimpedance

    The 13th Conference on Electrical Bioimpedance, which will be organized by Prof. Dr. H. Scharfetter, Graz, will be held in Graz, Austria, from August 29 to September 2, 2007. Besides biophysical, technical and clinical topics, one session about "Organ Monitoring" is devoted to ischemia, reperfusion and transplantation.

    AATS Postgraduate Course: Valvular Heart Disease 2007

    The AATS Valvular Heart Disease 2007 course will be held on September 7-9, 2007 in Chicago, IL.  This postgraduate course is designed for practicing cardiac surgeons and cardiologists. It will cover all aspects of medical, interventional and surgical management of patients with heart valve disease. This unique course will bring together the world's leading interventional cardiologists and cardiac surgeons to share the latest progress made on percutaneous/transventricular interventional and surgical therapies on heart valve disease.  By combining cutting-edge surgical techniques with state of the art interventional strategies, the program will afford participants the opportunity to network and share lessons learned in a focused and intimate setting.  For more information, contact Stacy Gijsbers: Phone: 978-927-8330; Fax: 978-524-0498; E-Mail: sgijsbers@prri.com.

    POSTINTERVENTIONAL BLOOD-RELATED COMPLICATIONS IN CARDIAC SURGERY AND PCI

    POSTINTERVENTIONAL BLOOD-RELATED COMPLICATIONS IN CARDIAC SURGERY AND PCI will be held October 3-5, 2007 in Lund, Sweden.

    JOINT MEETING

    The Joint meeting of the GERMAN SOCIETY FOR THORACIC SURGERY, the SWISS SOCIETY FOR THORACIC SURGERY and the AUSTRIAN SOCIETY FOR THORACIC AND CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY will be held October 4-7, 2007 in Konstanz, Germany. For information, contact: Medizinische Congress-organisation Nürnberg, Zerzabelhofstr. 29, 90478 Nürnberg, Germany; Tel. +49(0) 911/39 31 60; Fax: +49 (0) 911/33 12 04; www.mcn-nuernberg.de. Scientific organiser: Thomas Kiefer, MD, Dep. of Thoracic Surgery, Klinikum Offenburg, Ebertplatz 12, 77654 Offenburg, Germany; E-mail: tagung@tc2007.de Abstract deadline: April 30th, 2007.

    5th INTERNATIONAL MEETING ON CARDIAC INTENSIVE CARE 

    The 5th INTERNATIONAL MEETING ON CARDIAC INTENSIVE CARE will be held October 14-16, 2007, in Tel Aviv, Israel. ABSTRACT DEADLINE: 15 March 2007.  For information, contact ISAS International Seminars, P.O. Box 574, Jerusalem 91004, Israel. Tel: 972-2-6520574; Fax: 972-2-6520558; e-mail: meetings@isas.co.il

    Congress - Association of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgeons of Asia (ATCSA)

    18th Biennial Congress - Association of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgeons of Asia (ATCSA) will be held November 25-28, 2007, at the Bali Convention Centre, Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia.

    Abstract submission deadline: 1 September 2007
    For information, contact:

    Indonesian Association of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons, National Cardiovascular Center Harapan Kita
    Main Building, 4th Floor, Jl. Let. Jend. S. Parman Kav. 87, Slipi, Jakarta 11420 Indonesia
    Phone: 62.21.569.44.08
    Fax: 62.21.566.5993
    Email: aditya_kusuma_w@yahoo.com.au

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    CTSNET and EACTS Booths at Upcoming Meetings

    Both CTSNet and EACTS will be represented at the following meetings:

    The 2nd Congress of the CZECH SOCIETY FOR CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY will be held November 30-December 1 at the Hotel Voronez in Brno, Czech Republic.

    The XXIII Congress of the Italian Society for Cardiac Surgery will be held 2 - 5 December 2006 in Rome, Italy.

    If you are attending, come by to say hello and have your picture taken for your home page.

    Thomas B. Ferguson, M.D.
    Senior Editor

    Carol L. Blasberg
    Managing Editor

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